Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is good to finally be able to speak. What I was trying to say earlier is that I was described as an underling, which is someone who is under someone else's order. I would love for that to be withdrawn from the record of the House. As an Independent TD, I support this Government with cautious optimism, in the hope that it will be able to listen to me. The only people whose orders I am under are the people of Dublin Bay North, who put their trust in me, a 26-year-old Independent. How many marriages and childhoods have been shaped by the relentless stress and uncertainty of not knowing if they will have a home? We need a Covid-level response that is bold, urgent and effective, with no more election cycle thinking. We need a ten to 15-year strategy. I am delighted that the derelict sites register is being implemented by Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council, increasing to 237 in 2024 from a previous small number. It is great to see the councils are doing that but we need to give more funding to Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council. I know the housing staff in Dublin City Council personally. They are tireless workers but they are understaffed and underfunded, and we need to give them that chance.

See this speech in context